Scott Weinger
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| Scott Weinger | |
 Undated portfolio "headshot" of actor/writer Scott Weinger |
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| Birth name | Scott Eric Weinger |
| Born | October 5, 1975 (age 31) New York City, New York, United States |
| Notable roles | Steve Hale on Full House (1992-94) Aladdin (1992) |
Scott Eric Weinger (born October 5, 1975) is an American actor and screenwriter best known as the speaking voice of Aladdin in Walt Disney's eponymous feature film. Weinger would reprise the role in two direct-to-video sequels and for the Disney Channel television series.
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[edit] Early life
Weinger (pronounced 'wine-gur) was born in New York City, New York, to Jewish parents Babs Weinger, a teacher, and Elliott Weinger, an orthopedic surgeon. The eldest of four children, Scott has two brothers and one sister. He spent the majority of his formative years in southern Florida, where he attended high school at the University School of Nova Southeastern University. He then moved with his family to Los Angeles when his career began to take off.
[edit] Early career
Weinger first became interested in acting in the third grade, when an actor gave a presentation for Career Day. He relentlessly pestered his parents to get him an agent until they finally realized that their son was serious about becoming an actor.
[edit] Television
Weinger's first job was a national commercial for Ideal Toys. His first big role came when he was cast as Steve Hale in the sitcom Full House from 1992 to 1994. It was during the run of Full House that Weinger would earn his first motion picture role; later, in an episode in which the Tanner family goes on a trip to Disney World, he dresses up as Aladdin.
In later years, Weinger's dream of becoming a screenwriter finally came true with his first writing credit, for the WB television show, Like Family, described as a "multi-ethnic crossover comedy about two very different families coming together under one roof." More recently, he received a credit as a co-writer for another WB sitcom, What I Like About You.
[edit] Film
Weinger was cast as the speaking voice of Aladdin, the street urchin in Walt Disney Pictures' animated feature film Aladdin (he briefly attempted the singing parts, but gave up that role to Brad Kane). He would reprise the role for the Disney Channel Aladdin series, the direct-to-video sequels The Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves, and in English-language versions of the Disney/Square-Enix Kingdom Hearts video game series.
[edit] Later life
In autumn of 1994, Weinger left Los Angeles to attend Harvard University. While attending classes, he continued to work as the voice of Aladdin and made a final appearance on Full House. Weinger also held a part-time job as a youth correspondent for Good Morning America.
Scott majored in English and minored in French literature while at Harvard, and graduated magna cum laude in June 1998. In his first online interview after returning to Los Angeles, he still seemed undecided about his future plans, though he had narrowed down his possibilities to writing, directing, acting, and news correspondence.
Since his return to Hollywood, he has starred in a horror film, Shredder; produced an award winning film short, The Cricket Player; and provided his voice for Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis, and the 3-D Disney film, Mickey's Philharmagic.
Weinger considers himself to be a writer first, and an actor second.
